Jean Carroll, the writer accusing former U.S. President Donald Trump of rape, has been engaged in a rigorous legal battle for defamation damages.
During a recent session in the federal court in Manhattan, Carroll, aged 80, firmly countered the notion that her reputation benefited from her allegations against Trump.
Carroll seeks reputation restoration and damages in Trump trial
Under cross-examination by Trump’s lawyer Alina Habba, Carroll acknowledged an increase in media and celebrity attention since June 2019, when she first made her rape claim public.

However, she emphasized the negative impact, stating, “My status is lowered,” and expressed her intent in the trial: “I am partaking in this trial to bring my old reputation and status back.”
Carroll seeks a minimum of $10 million in damages from Trump for his statements during his presidency, where he denied assaulting her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s and accused her of fabricating the story to promote her memoir.
Read More: Senator Ted Cruz endorses Trump for 2024 GOP presidential nomination after Iowa caucus victory
Judge rules in favor of E. Jean Carroll in Trump defamation and sexual abuse case
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan has ruled that Trump committed sexual abuse and defamed Carroll in June 2019.
The jury, consisting of nine members, is now tasked with determining the compensation owed to Carroll by Trump.
Trump, a Republican, has utilized the trial and his other legal challenges to galvanize his supporters and raise funds for his potential 2024 presidential campaign, dismissing the cases as political conspiracies.
He has also pleaded not guilty in various state and federal criminal cases, including those alleging efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
Impact on reputation in Carroll’s rape allegation trial
Carroll’s rape claim initially surfaced in a New York magazine book excerpt. During the trial, Habba aimed to demonstrate that Trump’s denial did not devastate Carroll’s reputation, as previously testified.
She argued that Carroll has instead gained notoriety as an advocate for women’s rights.
However, Carroll concurred that while she received commendations from celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis and others, she also faced significant hostility.
“I am more well known, and I am hated by a lot more people,” Carroll remarked.
Also Read: Trump campaign urges GOP rivals to withdraw from race
Trump’s role and reactions in ongoing Carroll trial
Trump was present in court on Wednesday but absent on Thursday due to a family funeral.
He actively commented on the proceedings via his Truth Social website, highlighting Carroll’s admission of discarding certain emails and possessing an unlicensed firearm.

Trump called for the dismissal of the trial, labeling it an “Election Interfering Witch Hunt Trial.”
Trump is expected to testify next week. Judge Kaplan previously warned him about potential ejection from the trial for making audible comments during the proceedings.
Carroll’s trial: Examining reputation impact and justice quest
Following Carroll’s testimony, a Northwestern University professor began discussing the damage to Carroll’s reputation caused by Trump’s statements.
The trial represents a significant moment in Carroll’s quest for justice and attempts to restore her reputation.
As the legal proceedings unfold, they highlight the complex interplay between public figures, media, and the judicial system.
Read Next: Trump sets record in Iowa caucus win, gives unifying victory speech